The Trump administration is considering easing endangered-species protections in the Gulf of Mexico, citing national security concerns. The “God Squad,” a rarely convened panel, will meet Tuesday to evaluate if overriding these regulations for federally regulated fossil fuel operations outweighs the risk of extinction for species like sea turtles and the Rice’s whale, which has only 51 individuals remaining.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the Endangered Species Committee meeting. Historically, the panel has only overridden restrictions twice in nearly fifty years.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit to stop the meeting, but the Trump administration argued that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seeks an exemption for all federal oil and gas activities in the Gulf for “national security.” A federal judge declined to halt the meeting.
Brett Hartl, from the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed disappointment at the court’s decision not to block the meeting, emphasizing the ongoing battle to protect the Gulf’s endangered species.
The U.S. oil production is at record highs, with the Gulf producing 1.9 million barrels daily last year under existing endangered-species protections. Experts doubt that increasing production would immediately benefit national security.
This aligns with President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” agenda, especially after gas prices surged following strikes on Iran. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved a $5 billion deepwater project this month.
Zygmunt Plater, a Boston College Law School professor, noted that the committee was designed as an emergency measure. He criticized the process as inconsistent with the panel’s past careful approach.
How the “God Squad” Operates
Plater was involved in the 1970s legal case leading to the Endangered Species Committee’s formation after a dam threatened the snail darter fish. The Supreme Court ruled to protect the species, prompting Congress to establish the committee to override protections in significant cases.
The God Squad, including leaders from various federal departments, has only granted exemptions twice. It was last convened decades ago, and only specific parties can request exemptions for federal actions.
In exceptional cases, if a project risks an endangered species, the God Squad is convened to evaluate alternatives and weigh public interest against environmental protection.
The current administration plans to forgo the evidentiary hearing traditionally informing the committee’s decision, raising legal and procedural questions.
Rob Verchick, an environmental law expert, emphasized that the God Squad should be a last resort. Recent actions suggest the administration views it differently.
Energy vs. Extinction
On his first day back, Trump declared a National Energy Emergency, directing the God Squad to meet quarterly to review energy projects or obstacles from environmental laws. The first meeting is scheduled for March 31 and will be livestreamed.
Christopher Danley argued in a court filing that no specific application is needed due to national security claims. This interpretation is disputed, and questions about procedural appropriateness persist.
The Gulf of Mexico hosts extensive offshore fossil fuel infrastructure. The Trump administration aims to open federal waters in the Gulf, California, and Alaska for drilling.
A recent NOAA report highlighted risks to the endangered Rice’s whale, finding industry activities could jeopardize the species.
The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, the largest in U.S. history, highlighted the environmental risks. The ongoing recovery from this disaster underscores the need for stringent regulations.
Trump has rolled back several environmental protections, potentially leading to thousands of oil spills nationwide, according to the Center for Biological Diversity’s analysis.
The God Squad might lift some regulatory measures. The unprecedented nature of the exemption and its implications suggest further legal challenges are likely.
The Trump administration’s broad interpretation of national security could significantly impact endangered species protections in the Gulf, testing the limits of the Endangered Species Act.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org